Office of the Chief Secretary
Scarborough
Job Description
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;line-height:150%;mso-pagination: widow-orphan;mso-layout-grid-align:none">The incumbent is required to perform professional legal work in a Ministry/Department. Duties include appearing in court, providing legal advice and opinions, and drafting legal documents on matters involving the Ministry/Department. Depending on assignment, the incumbent may be required to perform some or the full range of the duties of the position.<o:p></o:p></p>
Key and Critical Responsibilities
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left:42.75pt;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination: widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: " times="" new="" roman";"="">&nbsp;</span></span><!--[endif]-->Represents the Ministry/Department in court and before tribunals.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:42.75pt;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination: widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: " times="" new="" roman";"="">&nbsp;</span></span><!--[endif]-->Advises on legal issues relating to the administration, interpretation and enforcement of laws relative to the Ministrys/Departments operations.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:42.75pt;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination: widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other">Drafts complex legal documents including contracts, leases and agreements.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:42.75pt;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination: widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other">Provides legal opinions and briefs in respect of complex legal issues<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:42.75pt;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination: widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other">Prepares instructions for submission to state central legal agencies on legal matters involving the state<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:42.75pt;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination: widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other">Performs court cases preparation work such as interviewing witnesses, taking depositions preparing pre-trials briefs and draft pleading for filing. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:42.75pt;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination: widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other">Assists in Planning, directing, coordinating and formulating legal policies and programmes of the Ministry/Department.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:42.75pt;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination: widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other">Conduct research and analysis, and reports on legal matters pertinent to the Ministry/Departments operations.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:42.75pt;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination: widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other">Conducts or participates in negotiations/consultations with external/internal parties.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:42.75pt;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination: widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other">Participates in or conducts the review of existing legislation, rules and regulation related to the Ministry/Department and recommends/drafts appropriate amendments.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:42.75pt;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination: widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other">Represents the Ministry/Department on committees and meeting and other fora.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:42.75pt;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination: widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other">Prepares Cabinet/Ministerial Notes, memoranda, letters and other documents on legal matters.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left:42.75pt;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination: widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other">Performs other duties as required.</p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left:42.75pt;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination: widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other"><br></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none">Considerable knowledge of the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago<span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none">Knowledge of legal principles and practices<span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none">Knowledge of the laws and regulation pertinent to the Ministrys/Departments operations.<span style="font-size:10.5pt; line-height:150%;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none">Knowledge of legal drafting principles and practices<span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none">Knowledge of legal research skills and techniques<span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%;mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri">Knowledge of the court procedures and practices and of rules of evidence <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none"><br></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri">Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri">Skill in the use of personal computers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri">Skill in drafting legal documents/instruments<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri">Skills in negotiation and mediation <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri">Ability to use e-Government technology platforms.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri">Ability to use the internet for research purposes<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left:42.75pt;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination: widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other"> </p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri">Ability to analyze and interpret laws and legal issues</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri">Ability to present and explain statements of fact and the law, and to argue clearly and logically, orally and in writing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri">Ability to maintain confidentiality<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri"> <span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:" trebuchet="" ms",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:="" calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:calibri;="" mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="">Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees and members of the public.</span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify; text-indent:-.25in;line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:150%; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left:42.75pt;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination: widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other"><br></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left:42.75pt;mso-add-space: auto;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:115%;mso-pagination: widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;text-autospace:ideograph-numeric ideograph-other"><o:p></o:p></p>
Key Competency
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in; line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none"><span style="font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: " times="" new="" roman";"="">&nbsp;</span></span><!--[endif]-->A minimum of (4) years experience as a practicing Attorney at law<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in; line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none"><span style="font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: " times="" new="" roman";"="">&nbsp;</span></span><!--[endif]-->Bachelor of Law Degree from a recognized institution.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in; line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none">Legal Education Certificate or equivalent from a recognized institution <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in; line-height:150%;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1; mso-layout-grid-align:none">Admission to practice law in Trinidad and Tobago&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p>